Digging In

A club residency gives fans several chances to see musicians play and gives performers a chance to experiment

January 20, 2006|By Bob Gendron Special to the Tribune

Mark Twain wrote the famous adage "familiarity breeds contempt." But then again, he never saw a rock band.

The proverb--as well as that of the modern variant "how can we miss you if you never go away"--is being challenged today by many musicians. (And if there really is no such notion as seeing the same act too many times, then Deadheads, the world owes you an apology.)

Time was, music lovers used to have just one opportunity to see an artist before he or she packed up and moved on to the next town. Miss the gig, and it might be a year or more before the band returned.

That's still the case when it comes to most big-name shows, but the growing trend of club residencies--which feature the same artist performing at least once a week at a fixed location, usually for an entire month--is allowing audiences, pop/rock musicians and intimate venues opportunities to get to know one another like never before.

This winter, concert-goers can cure cabin fever by heading out to catch artists playing residencies at Empty Bottle, Hideout, Schubas and Green Mill. And having established the tradition years ago, Chicago blues icon Buddy Guy is in the midst of performing a January residency at his namesake Legends club. While the guitarist tends to hold back and cater to casual audiences on tour, he's grittier, bolder and looser at his home confines.

The residency concept is neither new nor unique to Chicago, but as local club owners and musicians are increasingly realizing, extended stays provide creative, financial and scheduling benefits for everyone involved.

While residencies let artists polish material and branch out, what's in it for concert-goers who attend multiple performances? In addition to seeing a favorite act in a small club, they usually hear unique arrangements and rare songs that don't surface on traditional tours.

Moreover, at residencies, odds are higher that a band will indulge audience requests. Fans also like watching artists evolve, an opportunity that's often impossible at arena shows. Part of this process involves musicians demonstrating they are human, even if it means they make mistakes. When a beloved name flubs a lyric and laughs about it with the crowd, it's a natural that the bond is deepened.

Honky-tonkers the Hoyle Brothers have been performing weekly since July 2002, breaking only when they have gone on brief tours. While the quintet originally started at the Hideout, the Empty Bottle has hosted the group on Friday and Sunday afternoons for three years running. Jacque Judy, the band's vocalist, says that the experience has been great.

"I think it's proven to be a really good thing for us. We get the young hipsters, neighborhood folks and people not afraid to go into the joint," the DeKalb native notes. "Residencies let you really get to know your audiences. If you're playing once or twice a month, you can't connect. We have twice a week to reach out and touch people."

That kind of connection is exactly what Schubas promoter Matt Rucins hoped to achieve when he established the program Practice Space at the North Side club more than four years ago. Just as the Hoyle Brothers are the city's current reigning popular-music residency champs, Rucins' program appears to be the only official club residency program in Chicago.

Held on Mondays, Practice Space has attracted up-and-coming acts such as The M's, Rachael Yamagata and The Sun. Headliners are booked for a month and get to handpick their openers. No matter who is playing, all tickets cost $6.

"I like the idea of a band getting comfortable at Schubas," explains Rucins. "They get to know the staff, the regulars and [the club] as a good place to play consistently. As a talent buyer, I'm able to fill up four Mondays with a good band that's going to attract press and a crowd as well." While it depends on the artist, Rucins says the first Monday of a month-long stand generally draws upward of 50 people while the final night, due to word-of-mouth buzz and procrastination, can bring in anywhere from 75 to a capacity audience of 200. "Residencies provide a fan base with options. They might really want to see a band, and can't go this Monday but can go next Monday."

The unusual flexibility also appeals to Judy. "People like the ability to see artists they like when they want to," he says. "It's great for the community as well."

Since the Hoyle Brothers go onstage no later than 5:30 p.m., the hard-country group plays during a time slot that has little or no competition. Consequently, the band attracts music fans who would like to but otherwise don't attend shows because of their need to get up in the morning. A fellow working professional and early riser, Judy praises residencies for giving "people an opportunity to go out early and have a good time without a huge financial and late-night commitment."